Blanch brace stops the rot

Wakefield Wildcats ended their seven-game losing streak in pulsating fashion as they clinched a dramatic 38-32 win over Catalans Dragons in Perpignan.

Damien Blanch was the Wildcats hero as he crossed the whitewash either side of half time to inspire the visitors to a win which sees them move above Hull KR into seventh in the table.

Wakefield looked home and dry at the interval, having opened up a 26-10 lead, but Catalans fought back in a sensational second half.

It took a second try of the evening from Blanch to reassert Wakefield in the match and stem the flow of points from the home side - and Danny Brough's late goal gave the visitors a six-point cushion.

Catalans were without a host of regulars for the match, their last at home in the regular season, and it showed as Wildcats dominated the first half.

Sean Gleeson, Blanch and Brough crossed for early tries as the visitors made the best start imaginable following their long trip.

Sensational

And despite Julien Touxagas and Aaron Gorrell replying with tries for the hosts, Ryan Atkins touched down before the break to leave the Dragons with a mountain to climb.

And that mountain became even bigger seven minutes into the second half when Tevita Levu's converted score put the visitors 32-10 ahead.

However, the hosts gradually began fighting back, and four tries in 19 frenetic second half minutes sensationally brought the Dragons back on level terms.

Olivier Elima started the comeback in the 50th minute before Phillipe Jean-Baile and Sebastien Raguin cut the deficit further.

And when Thomas Bosc capitalised on some sloppy Wildcats defending to level the scores with 10 minutes remaining - there only appeared to be one team heading for the two points.

However, it would have been easy for the Wildcats to wilt after their dismal run, but Blanch ensured that didn't happen as he went over in the corner before slamming over a late penalty to seal the win.